Hampton & Richmond 3 Bath City 1

The form book was turned upside down at the Beveree as Hampton secured their first home league win of 2010 and their first double of the season, while also ending play-off hopefuls Bath City’s nine-match unbeaten run.

Goals from Dave Tarpey, Dean Inman and Craig Dundas cancelled out Kaid Mohamed’s opener for the Romans, sealing the Beavers' first three point haul at the Beveree since nine-man Maidenhead were despatched 4-0 on October 31, and they could even afford to see a Barrie Matthews penalty come back into play off the post in the second half.

On a clear evening with very little wind, the home side set about to give Bath, sitting in the final play-off spot in fifth place, as little space as possible to prevent them getting their passing game together.

As a result, the opening half-an-hour was a scrappy affair, with only right wing-back Sekani Simpson posing any real threat with a couple of early crosses, which were easily dealt with by the Beavers backline, and a Chris Holland header from a free-kick that home keeper Matt Lovett gathered with no problem.

Hampton’s biggest threat on the Bath rearguard came from set-pieces, with a Tarpey free-kick being charged down by the wall.

The resulting corners caused panic in the box, the second of which had to be headed away by City’s Mark Badman after visiting keeper Ryan Robinson was left clutching at thin air.

Just before the half-hour mark, though, Bath had their best opening yet, when shots in quick succession in the Beavers penalty area by, first, Darren Edwards and, then, Lewis Hogg were superbly blocked by Dean Wells.

Shortly after, neat interplay from Ian Hodges and Stuart Lake sent a perfect ball through for the increasingly dangerous Tarpey, but the linesman raised his flag for offside just as he sent the ball beyond Robinson into the far corner of the net.

But, in the 38th minute, the ball hit the net and counted as Bath found a break-through out of the blue.

A ball from Hogg to the edge of the six-yard box was only partially cleared to Kaid Mohamed, who, 15 yards from goal, had time to watch the ball bounce before striking on the volley leaving Lovett and the stranded defence helpless.

So many times this season, especially at home, Hampton have let their heads drop when conceding the first goal.

Not so this time. Straight from the re-start the Beavers sought out an equaliser, forcing a free-kick wide on the left that Tarpey whipped into the danger area.

Hodges rose highest to get in a header that keeper Robinson reacted well to push away low to his left.

Further pressure resulted in another free-kick, this time more central and in a far better shooting position, about 25 yards from the Bath goal.

Deadball specialist Tarpey stepped up and his shot found its way into the net, looping over Robinson via a telling deflection from the top of the City wall, ensuring the visitors’ lead lasted no more than five minutes.

The equaliser was no more than the Beavers deserved, and they could have gone in ahead at half-time had their been a final touch from Tarpey’s menacing cross-cum-shot right on the 45 minute mark.

Visibly buoyed by the strong finish to the opening period, the Beavers came racing out of the blocks in the second half, forcing a couple of corners.

The second one, another teaser from Tarpey, found its way to Dean Inman at the far post who sent a towering header looping over Robinson into the opposite corner of the net to give the home side the lead.

Those supporters still in Hammond’s Bar would have felt aggrieved to have missed an early second half goal.

If they were more than five minutes late out onto the terraces, their wording may have been stronger still as Hampton surged into a 3-1 lead.

Another set-piece from Tarpey, a free-kick, into the box found its way to Dundas, who had just enough time to compose himself before prodding home from close range with Robinson stranded.

Bath appeared shell-shocked at this double blow, and Hampton continued to press in an attempt to put the game beyond their high-flying visitors, Dundas denied his second goal of the night by the legs of Robinson, and then having a penalty shout turned down by referee Mr Childs despite an obvious shove on that man Tarpey.

Soon after though Mr Childs did point to the spot for the home side as again Tarpey used his pace to trouble the defence, only to be hauled back by his shirt when about to pull the trigger.

Matthews, who has been so reliable from 12 yards this season, uncharacteristically seemed to scuff his 63rd-minute effort and it rebounded into play off the inside of the post before being scrambled clear.

A minute later Lake almost did make it four, having two attempts at goal, the first blocked by a defender, and the rebound well stopped by Robinson.

The Romans, though, tried to get themselves back in contention, enjoying good spells of possession without managing to seriously threaten the stubborn Beavers defensive unit.

Indeed it was Hampton who looked more likely to add to the scoreline on the break, substitute Lawrence Yaku carrying on where Tarpey left off, teasing the City defence with his trickery, which almost resulted in a goal in stoppage time with his effort across goal narrowly wide with Robinson well beaten.

The full-time whistle brought great delight to the Beveree faithful, a healthier than expected crowd of 411 - what with the lure of Champions League action on the box - as this win should all but guarantee safety in a season which has seen more lows than highs compared to recent years.

Beavers’ boss Alan Devonshire was understandably in jovial mood after the game: “We played well from start to finish, the shape was collectively better; we looked like our old selves.

"The tempo was better, the spirit was there, it was the right reaction after Saturday (the 2-1 defeat at Maidenhead).

"Let’s enjoy the last ten games, pick up as many points as possible and see where it takes us.”

Eastleigh next up at the Bev this Saturday (3pm), can the boys upset another side chasing the play-offs?

BEAVERS: Lovett; Robinson, Tanner, Jeffrey, Inman, Wells; Lake, Dundas, Matthews (sub 88, Kanjor); Hodges, Tarpey (sub 78, Yaku) Subs Not Used; Beckford, Beadle, Roffey

Goals: Tarpey 42, Inman 47, Dundas 49

Booked: Tarpey

Man of the match: Dave Tarpey - tireless running, pace and set-piece deliveries too much for Bath to handle

Att: 411